--- title: "David P. Sullivan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-p-sullivan" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # David P. Sullivan Nassau County Surrogate's Court · Surrogate ## Profile - Court: Nassau County Surrogate's Court - State: New York - Role: Surrogate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Acting Justice, Supreme Court, Nassau County, Designated by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks, 2020 to Present - Judge, District Court, Nassau County, Elected, 2014 to 2023 - Supervising Judge, Village Courts, Nassau County, Appointed by Administrative Judge Anthony Marano, 2010 to 2012 - Acting Justice, Supreme Court, Nassau County, Designated by Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman, 2003 to 2012 - Judge, County Court, Nassau County, Elected, 2003 to 2012 - Acting Judge, Family Court, Nassau County, Designated by Chief Administrative Jonathan Lippman, 2003 to 2006 - Village Justice, Village Court, New Hyde Park, 1998 to 2002 - UCS Unified Court System, Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Donald E. Belfi, County Court Judge, 1995 to 2002 - Associate Justice, Village Court, New Hyde Park, 1997 to 1998 - Nassau County District Attorney Office, Assistant District Attorney, 1988 to 1995 ### Education - Fordham University School of Law — J.D. (1988) - Fordham University — B.A. (1985) - Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics and a Juris Doctorate from Fordham College. ### Additional information - These cases demonstrate his experience in both criminal and civil proceedings, though his current focus is on probate and estate law - Beyond the bench, Judge Sullivan is active in the community. - overseeing all matters related to the estates of deceased persons and the guardianship of minors who inherit property. - In this role, he adjudicates probate filings, administration petitions, will contests, and guardianship applications. - Highly experienced jurist with 29 years on the bench, currently serving as the Surrogate of Nassau County. - He also obtained a Regents diploma from Seaford High School. - His educational background complements his judicial work, particularly in complex probate and estate matters - He participates in organizations such as the New Hyde Park Kiwanis, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 2107, The Society of Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Long Island, Knights of Columbus – New Hyde Park Council, and Irish Americans in Government. - Throughout his career, Judge Sullivan has presided over a variety of cases, including People v. - He ensures the proper distribution of assets, validates wills, appoints executors or administrators, and supervises the management of property for minor beneficiaries. - Nassau County Assistant District Attorney This extensive experience reflects his expertise in both criminal and civil law, as well as his leadership in specialized courts ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording and photography Scope: statewide New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms. Evidence excerpt: Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtained [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### evidence presentation control Scope: statewide The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof. Evidence excerpt: 1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=E0OV2Vw8hdypXCG6Mm_PLUS_bNw%3D%3D) - [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=E0OV2Vw8hdypXCG6Mm_PLUS_bNw%3D%3D) - [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=E0OV2Vw8hdypXCG6Mm_PLUS_bNw%3D%3D) - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true) - [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml) - [Judicial Directory: Hon. David P. Sullivan](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=E0OV2Vw8hdypXCG6Mm_PLUS_bNw%3D%3D) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-p-sullivan", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-p-sullivan", "name": "David P. Sullivan | KnowJudges", "description": "David P. Sullivan, Nassau County Surrogate's Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-p-sullivan#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-p-sullivan#judge", "name": "David P. 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[Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-34fe480ab82f22fa3c31d257) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26.